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Advances in sperm selection

On average one in seven couples in the UK struggle to conceive. Latest figures also show that 1 in 100 children are conceived through IVF. Given that the male sperm count has almost halved since 1970, these statistics are no great surprise.

Scientists are continually working to improve the success rates for assisted reproduction. Latest research examined the difference between mammalian and non-mammalian sperm.

Mammalian sperm has a reinforced outer layer that coats the tail of human sperm. This gives strength to the tail to power the sperm through the thick jelly like cervical mucus.

Non-mammalian sperm lacks this crucial outer layer. Through computer simulation, the tails of non-mammalian sperm buckled as the thickness of the liquid increased.

The female reproductive tract is a hostile and alien environment

For sperm to fertilize an egg, it must overcome many obstacles, such as:

  • Deadly vaginal acids
  • Thick cervical mucus
  • Dead ends
  • White blood cells
  • The thick protective outer layer of the egg.

A typical ejaculate contains 55 million sperm, yet only 15 will actually make it to the reproductive tract!

These findings help lead to better sperm selection in fertility clinics, which enables the fittest sperm with the strongest tails to be identified.

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